I’m sure you’re aware of how important a healthy digestive system is to overall health, but did you know there are herbs you can give to your kids on a regular basis to help keep their digestive systems in good working order?
Oh yes, mama!
Today’s recipe is for a marshmallow root infusion with rose syrup, and it’s one herbal remedy that can do just that!
Below you’ll find the actual recipe for this yummy herbal remedy as well as some brief information on why it’s so great for your little one’s digestive system.
How To Make A Marshmallow Root Infusion With Rose Syrup
This is a two-part remedy that is fairly simple to make. It takes a bit of time from start to finish, but don’t worry… it doesn’t only requires your attention for a short period of time.
Ingredients For Marshmallow Root Infusion:
- dried marshmallow root
- cold water
- glass jar
Directions For Infusion:
- Fill jar 1/3 full with dried marshmallow root.
- Pour cool water over herbs, filling jar 1 inch from the top.
- Let sit for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Strain herbs from the liquid using a sieve. You may reuse herbs to make another infusion.
Ingredients For Rose Syrup:
- dried rose petals
- water
- raw honey
- saucepan
Directions For Syrup:
- Add 1 cups of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- When water comes to a boil, turn heat off. Add 1/3 cup of dried rose petals to water. Cover the saucepan with a lid, and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Strain herbs from the liquid and allow to cool to room temperature.
- When cool, add 1 cup of raw honey to rose infusion. Mix well. Bottle and store
To Use:
This drink is best served on ice. Simply fill a glass with ice, pour marshmallow root infusion over ice filling glass 2/3 full, top with 1/3 of rose syrup for added sweetness. Add in a festive paper straw and enjoy! You’re kids definitely will!
How Marshmallow Root Promotes A Healthy Digestive System
Marshmallow root is a demulcent herb which means it gets all slimy when you mix it with water. This “slime” helps to soothe hot, dry tissues all along the digestive tract. In fact, the latin name for marshmallow root is Althaea officinalis, and “althaea” is derived from the Greek “to heal.”
Marshmallow root is most often used as a drink, but it can be used in powder form too. Simply mix the powder with water, juice, or tea and drink it. You can also mix the powder with water and use it externally on the skin too.
Hi Meagen,
Since this coats the whole digestive tract does it have a laxative effect?
It can Katie. It’s very regulating and balancing so it can have a moistening or drying effect on the bowls… depending upon what’s needed. Herbalists commonly use it, along with other herbs, when people have acute diarrhea or constipation. Hope that helps!
Good critical thinking, Katie- it certainly can. It depends on each person, and how much is ingested.
Hi Meagan,
What size jar do you use for the marshmallow infusion? Great recipe, BTW.
Thanks!
Katrian
I use a pint jar because it makes enough for one drink, but you can really use any size you’d like. Obviously the larger the jar, the more infusion it will make though. Great question, and thanks for your comment!
Hello Meagan, how often do you recommend serving to children? Also, does the rose syrup help with digestion as well? LO is on GAPS, and does not tolerate honey, so I would add apple juice to sweeten the marshmallow powder/water mixture (somehow I have a bag of the powder…). Thank you.
You can give this drink to kids several times a day if need be. It’s very safe and good for them.
As far as rose helping with digestion goes, I’m not familiar with using it in that way. I assume it could if the digestive issues are caused by an imbalance in the nervous system. Then rose could be beneficial since it acts on the nervous system, but I’m not sure that it has any specific actions on the digestive system. It is a bit of an astringent so it helps to tighten and tone loose tissues which can be beneficial in the digestive tract.
Best of luck using it. I’m sure adding the apple juice as a sweetener will work just fine. You can also us vegetable glycerine in place of the honey if that will work on GAPS too.
Thank you, Meagan!
Hi again. If I use the powdered marshmallow root, how much should I use in 1 cup of hot liquid? How long should I steep before drinking? Thank you!
I’d try 1-2 teaspoons per cup of liquid and see how that goes. If you want to strain the powder out of the liquid, it will work best to use a coffee filter to catch all the small powder particles, but it may take a while to strain out since the marshmallow root will make the liquid thicker. Best of luck! I’d love to know if it works well for you!
I cannot wait to try this! Do you use any dried rose petals? Or are there specific petals you only use for herb mixes (kind of new to this)?
Hey Amy! I just used dried organic rose petals to make the rose syrup. I order mine from Mountain Rose Herbs, and they’re great! If you’re using your own dried rose petals, just make sure they’re organic and they’re from an edible variety.
Thank you!
How often would you serve this to an adult with a chronically sensitive digestive system? One drink a day… for how long?
How long is the shelf life of the syrup ?
Syrups can have a shelf-life in the refridgerator anywhere from 3-6 months. The more sugar content, the longer they last. This one should last at least 3 months, if not more.
where could I get the marshmallow root an dried roses
There are links to the herbs in the post. Hope that helps!
5
Excellent and unique recipe. Thanks 🙂